FAQs

CRIMINAL

HOW CAN I CHANGE MY COURT DATE?

If your court date has been set, the Clerk’s Office cannot change it. If there is a problem with your date, you or your attorney should contact the Office of the Judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit assigned to your case and/or file the appropriate "Motion".

Be sure to read your "Restitution Order", which will list the provisions regarding restitution payments.

If you are on probation or community control, contact your Probation or Community Control Officer for payment instructions. Call County Probation at (239) 252-8135 or State Probation (239) 417-6300.

If you are not on probation or community control and were ordered to make restitution payments to the Clerk of Court you can make them in person or by mail.

Please indicate what the payment is for ("restitution"), include your name and complete case number. Pay by Money Order, personal check (no two party checks), or bank draft only. Please add an additional charge for each disbursement. Do not send cash.

If you were charged with any of the following crimes and you can show proof that the license/permit/registration/tag was valid at the time the citation was issued, your case will be dismissed for a fee.

320.07 (3)(c) Expired Registration of more than 6 months

320.131 (3) Temporary Tag Violation

322.03 (3) No Valid Drivers License

322.03 (4) No Motorcycle License

322.34 (2)(a) Drive While License Suspended/Revoked (only if suspension or revocation was due to failure to appear, failure to pay, or failure to complete school)

327.395 Operate without Boater Safety ID Card

328.46 Vessel Registration Violation

328.48 Vessel Registration Violation (not including 328.48 (4))

328.72 (13) Expired registration Vessel

327.57 (1) No License, Permit or Authorization Number

372.57 (3) Fail to Possess License/Permit/Authorization Number

372.5712 No Management Area Stamp

372.5712 (1) Hunting without a Waterfowl Stamp

If you do not have a CDL license and you were charged with any of the following violations and you can show proof that you have renewed your license or registration, you can enter a plea of “no contest” with the Clerk.

You can use this option one (1) time in a 12 month period and up to three (3) times in your life time. This option can be exercised prior to your court date or at your arraignment.

The following offenses can be disposed of by signing an "Affidavit" and paying a fee for costs plus providing proof that you are now in compliance per Florida Statute (e.g. showing a valid driver’s license; a valid registration; and etc.).

Driving while license suspended or revoked because:

322.34 (2)(a) Drive While License Suspended/Revoked (only if suspension or revocation was due to failure to appear, failure to pay, or failure to complete school)

The Court may issue a "Bench Warrant" for your arrest and enter an "Order of Bond Estreature", causing you to forfeit the money and/or collateral you posted for the bond. Additional penalties could also be imposed by the Court including losing your driving license.

Note: The Clerk’s Office cannot set-aside or recall a "Bench Warrant". Only the Courts have this authority.

A Collier County Criminal Records Search can be requested in person or by mail by contacting the Criminal Department. Payment for the record search must be received before the search is conducted. Check the fees for Criminal Records Search.

If the time period to be searched is not too extensive, and fewer than six (6) copies of the documents are requested, the service usually can be performed while the customer waits. If, however, the requested search time period is extensive and includes numerous documents, a one - two week time period is required.

Note: A complete Criminal Records Search and letter must be obtained from the Sheriff’s Office or FDLE.

If your driving privileges have been suspended for non-compliance as a result of a violation or charge in Collier County, the Clerk’s Office can reinstate your drivers license providing the Collier County suspension is the only open suspension on your driver’s license record at the time. A reinstatement fee is required.

To fill out an application to qualify for the services of a public defender go to the Collier County Courthouse Annex Customer Service Center located on the 1st Floor of the Collier County Courthouse Annex Building .

By law, the Clerk’s Office cannot provide you with legal advice or recommend a particular attorney.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR TOBACCO POSSESSION UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS?

On the first and second violations of this statute, a court appearance is not required if you meet the following conditions:

1st Violation – Before your scheduled court date, appear in person at the Criminal Division service counter and pay a fine or select to perform 16 hours community service plus take a tobacco awareness course.

2nd Violation – Before your scheduled court date, appear in person at Criminal Division service counter and pay a fine plus take a tobacco awareness course.

If you do not complete steps one or two above, you must appear in court on the scheduled date, time, and place.

3rd Violation requires a court appearance at the scheduled date, time, and place.

For a third or subsequent violation within 12 weeks of the first violation, the court must direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of, or suspend or revoke the person’s driver’s license or driving privilege.

IS THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM THE COLLECTIONS AGENCY LEGITIMATE OR IS THIS A SCAM?

No, it is not a scam.

Per Florida Statute 28.246, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Collier County has hired two outside collections agencies that are registered and in good standing with the State of Florida to work on our behalf to collect outstanding monies owed to the courts.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS I CAN MAKE PAYMENT TO THE COLLECTIONS AGENCY?

Payments can be made by telephone, online, or by mail directly with the Collections Agency identified in your letter.

Or you can pay your outstanding obligation in person to the collections agency representative at the Clerk's Office Customer Service Counter on the first floor of the Courthouse Annex. Please bring your letter with you so you are sure of the correct amount and agency.

To find out how much you owe click on the link below, read and accept the disclaimer, and then enter the party's name or case number to search Court Records. After identifying the correct court record, click on the case or citation number and then the "financials" tab to locate the amount owed.

To calculate the total amount, using the amount under "financials", add an additional 32% service charge, all must be paid directly to the Collections Agency.

If your case was assigned to Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson, however, you must first arrange for payments directly with the agency. Later payments can then be made either in person at the Clerk of Courts Customer Service Counter on the first floor of the Courthouse Annex or directly with the agency.

If your case was assigned to Penn Credit, you can make arrangements by contacting them directly or talking to a collections representative at the Clerk's Office Customer Service Counter on the first floor of the Courthouse Annex.

CAN I PREVENT MY PROPERTY FROM BEING SOLD AFTER TAX CERTIFICATES HAVE BEEN ISSUED?

YES. Any person may REDEEM the property by paying all delinquent taxes and accrued fees prior to the issuance of the tax deed. Full payment must be made to the Tax Collector. This is normally done by the owner of the property because redeeming the property by paying the taxes only cancels the sale. It does not make you the owner of the property.

A Small Claims case is a legal action filed in county court to settle minor legal disputes among parties where the dollar amount involved is $5,000.00 or less, excluding costs, interest and attorney fees.

You must file your claim against the right party so you must research the correct name of the individual, as it could make a difference in collecting a judgment in your favor.

A full explanation of your reason for the Small Claim will be necessary. It is suggested that you put the reason in writing and bring it with you to the Clerk's Office to initiate your Small Claim.

Copies of contracts, notes, leases, receipts or other evidence you have to support your claim must be furnished to each person named in the suit, as well as the court. Bring ALL originals to your first court appearance.

When you sue someone, other than an individual, there is additional information required to complete the forms.

For example, Are you suing an individual doing business as a company, a partnership with several people doing business as a company, corporation, or an insurance company, you must research the information carefully.

You may request assistance researching Corporations in the State of Florida by calling:

If you receive an award from a Judgment and you choose to place a Judgment Lien against any the defendant’s individually owned real property, you must send a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court to record a certified copy of your Judgment as a Judgment Lien.

An action which applies to the rental of a non-commercial dwelling unit, filed by a landlord against a tenant or a tenant against a landlord on common disputes such as payment of rent, non-compliance or breach of a lease or rental agreement.

The party that is served the summons will have a specific period of time to respond, depending upon the type of summons issued.

If a response is filed, or if monies are deposited with the court registry, you must contact the office of the Judge assigned to schedule a court date. If no response is received, or no monies deposited with the court registry, you may file a Motion for Default with the Clerk's Office.

If the Court issues a final judgment of eviction against a party in default, you may the ask the Clerk to execute a Writ of Possession if you expect to forcibly remove the tenant or tenant's possessions.

Your name was selected at random for jury service from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles database of licensed drivers and holders of Florida Identification Cards of Collier County residents.

Yes, if you are 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States and a legal resident of the State of Florida with an address in the County of Collier and you have a desire to serve as a juror, you may come into the Clerk's Office and execute an Affidavit to apply for jury duty. Your name will be added to the database of qualified prospective jurors.

No, the Governor and Governor's cabinet, the Sheriff, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Judges are disqualified as jurors.

Persons who are under prosecution for any crime or who have been convicted in Florida or any other state, territory or country or in any federal court of bribery, forgery, perjury, larceny, or any other offense that is a felony in the State of Florida are not qualified to serve as jurors unless their civil rights have been restored.

Additionally, any person with an interest in an issue to be tried cannot sit as a juror in the case where the issue will be tried.

You may request to be excused from jury duty if you are full-time federal, state or local law enforcement or investigative personnel; an expectant mother or a parent who is not employed full time and who has custody of a child under six (6) years of age; or a person responsible for the care of a person incapable of caring for his/her self.

Other persons who can demonstrate hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity may also request to be excused by the court. A person who is summoned and has reported as a prospective juror is exempt from jury service for a minimum period of one year.

Jury service is essential to the functioning of our judicial system and to the operation of our entire system of government. Jury service is the duty of all qualified individuals because we all enjoy the privileges of citizenship and the protection of our liberty and property afforded by the judicial system. Jurors perform the crucial task of deciding the case upon the evidence, which the lawyers present and by applying to that evidence the law upon which the Judge instructs them.

Jury trials are held in the Collier County Courthouse 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Collier County, Naples, Florida. If you have been summoned for jury service, your Juror summons will list your reporting location. Almost all jury trials are held in Collier County; however, a rare occurrence may allow a Collier County Jury trial to be held in another county within the circuit.

Jurors are paid in accordance with Florida law. If you are regularly employed and receive regular wages while serving as a juror, you are not entitled to be paid for the first three days of your service. If you are not regularly employed or you don't receive regular wages during your service, you will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per day for the first three days of service. Each juror who serves more than three days is entitled to be paid $30.00 per day for the fourth day of service and each day thereafter.

Appropriate business attire is required. Shorts, abbreviated tops, beach or evening attire are not acceptable. Court facilities are air conditioned and often become chilly. For your comfort, you may wish to bring a sweater or jacket with you. Coffee and tea are available.

Why does the Clerk of the Circuit Court have a Fraud Reporting System?

The Clerk of the Circuit Court has the constitutional responsibility as custodian of all county funds. While routine audits by the Internal Audit staff are essential to uncovering fraud, the Clerk’s office also relies on information from the general public and employees of applicable agencies (employees) as a tool for detecting fraud and other violations.

Fraud is defined as intentionally deceiving or misleading others with the intention of personal or financial gain, the concealment of something that should have been disclosed, or other fiscal improprieties. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Theft or misappropriation of funds, supplies, or other assets

Impropriety in the handling or reporting of money or financial transactions

General complaints, suggestions, personnel issues, sexual harassment, or discrimination should not be reported as fraud. Instead, members of the public and employees are encouraged to use other options at their disposal, including talking to a supervisor or contacting the Human Resources Department for the applicable agency.

In addition, threats of workplace violence, emergencies, or situations in which public or employee health and safety is at risk should be reported immediately to management, the appropriate law enforcement agency, or 911.

Once a report of suspected fraud is received, the Internal Audit Department reviews the information to determine if an investigation is warranted. The individual who reported the fraud will remain anonymous during an active investigation, unless the individual chooses to identify himself or herself. - F.S. 112.3188.

If the reported fraud is substantiated, then the results of the investigation and any recommendations are documented in a report issued to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk will make referrals to the appropriate law enforcement agency or State Attorney’s office, as necessary.

This website is maintained by the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.